Disclaimer: Still don't own them.
To anyone who hasn't, please vote in the poll for this story on my profile.
Chapter 3
Naruto ignored his teammates as he set up a trap for their ridiculously late sensei. He could hear Harry snickering softly from his room, partly because of Sakura's behaviour and partially in anticipation of what was going to happen to the poor unsuspecting teacher. Naruto had become something of a trap expert over the last few years; due to his pranks and Harry's training. Iruka and old man Hokage were the only ones who could find him when he didn't want to be found and even then only if he slipped up in some way. Harry's survival had often counted on his ability to hide and so he had trained Naruto mercilessly to get his abilities in that area to what his own had been and even past that. They both tuned Sakura's rant out and held their breath as the door began to open.
Kakashi opened the door to collect his team, head buried in his book. His senses flashed a warning at the last second but it was too late to do anything to save himself. He stared up at the hysterical blonde from the floor in stunned silence. How had he ended up on the floor? He ignored the pink haired girls' apologies and stared at the howling boy. He had a feeling he now knew who was responsible for all the pranks over the last few years. To think, just last night this boy had managed to take down a chuunin in a fight and now he had brought down the copy-nin himself with a simple prank. Hearing the click of a camera he looked around even as he got back to his feet, almost falling again as he slipped in…something.
"How should I say this…my first impression is of you guys is…I hate you." Kakashi commented, shutting both teens up, the Uchiha boy just stared at him.
"Meet me on the roof." With that he vanished, quickly going home to change into a clean uniform since the one he was wearing was wet with he didn't want to know what.
'Think we went too far?' Naruto asked as he watched his new teacher closely.
'Naw…he had it coming. Heads up looks like he's going to start now. Good thing he went home to change though, wouldn't want to be around when that stuff dries and the smell kicks in.' Harry snickered again and Naruto fought to keep from grinning like an utter lunatic. Yes, he always smiled, but he did not grin like a lunatic unless there was a reason.
"Lets see, why don't you introduce yourselves." Naruto groaned internally at that.
'I really hate having to act the idiot nii-san.' He complained to Harry.
'I know kiddo. Maybe you can slowly start to drop the act during missions, gradually enough that they won't notice until after the fact. Just be very careful.' Harry answered. Now that he had graduated acting the idiot could get them killed on a mission and that was something neither of them wanted.
"You first." Naruto snapped back to the real world and plastered an idiotic grin on his face.
"I'm Uzumaki Naruto. I like cup ramen. But I like the ramen at Ichiraku that Iruka-sensei bought for me even more. I hate the three minutes that I have to wait after I put the hot water in. My hobby is to eat and compare cup ramens! And my dream is to become greater than the Hokages! I'm going to make all the villagers recognise my existence." Naruto relaxed back as he finished, seeing the interesting look on Kakashi's face before he told Sakura to go.
'Nice one. Ooh look, a fan girl! Grow up girl!' Naruto really had to fight not to laugh out loud at Harry's commentary. He fell silent though as Sasuke spoke. Naruto sent a silent query as he heard Harry's sigh as the dark haired teen finished his introduction
'I feared as much. The only thing on his mind is vengeance. We'll have to watch him closely.'
'Oh?'
'Tom Riddle.' Harry stated dryly.
'Oh.' Naruto's reply was subdued but he understood. A shinobi version of Riddle was the last thing they needed.
"You're late!"
"A black cat crossed my path, so… Lets move on."
'This is the great Hatake Kakashi? So not impressed.' Harry drawled and Naruto had to agree. They watched as he placed a timer on a stump and explained the exercise before vanishing into the trees.
'There is more to this than he said.' Naruto commented and Harry nodded. He was piggybacking on Naruto's senses, wanting to learn more so that he could keep his little brother safe.
'Two bells but aren't most shinobi groups made of three?'
'Teamwork!' Naruto yelled making Harry wince.
'Bingo. Odds the others will listen to you?' Naruto sighed.
'Zero. Better get out there and act my part. I can plan while making an idiot out of myself.'
Naruto sighed as he watched Kakashi stand in front of them seriously. He hated acting dumb! Now he was tied to a stupid post while his 'team-mates' were going to eat lunch in front of him.
'WHAT! We should quit being ninjas!'
'Hmmm… Maybe you shouldn't have played so dumb after all.'
'Nii-san!' Harry winced at the volume of Naruto's mental yell. The kid certainly had good lungs or whatever the mental equivalent was. He sighed; all Naruto wanted was to be a ninja and thanks to his advice that chance was quickly slipping away. Was he destined to always screw his life up? He stopped his depressed thoughts as Naruto spoke up.
"Quit being ninjas? What do you mean? We couldn't get a bell, but why do you have to say we should quit?" Harry smiled at Naruto's yelling. Another personality trait that he had passed on, his questioning of authority and unwillingness to give up. He listened closely to the following conversation. He chuckled as Sasuke was taken down in the blink of an eye and had to agree with Kakashi, they were still kids, even Naruto despite all of his training. But they would only grow with experience, not coddling. He felt Naruto groan along with him at how thick the other two were being as Kakashi explained the purpose behind the test. Honestly, it was right there in front of them! Harry groaned again as Naruto kept up his act as Kakashi explained the stone. Okay, so slowly dropping the dumb act was definitely the way to go, if only for his own sanity!
Naruto watched as Sasuke and Sakura ate their lunches, his stomach growling loudly.
'I'm going to try to do something about that. If I channel extra magic through you it'll act as if you've eaten for a while at least so you can get through this.' Harry said, preparing to give Naruto's body a power surge. But he paused as Sasuke began to speak. He couldn't help but smile as both the teens offered Naruto their lunches but the smile vanished as Kakashi appeared. He once again readied the power surge, not liking the look on what little he could see of the man's face. He smiled again as all three stood up for each other against their teacher. He could feel Naruto's happiness as they helped him, showing a willingness to share the punishment that he hadn't thought them capable of yet. Harry couldn't help but laugh at Kakashi's announcement and the looks on the others faces, though he was sure the look on Naruto's was just as amusing.
'Shut up!' He fell off the couch, laughing at Naruto's indignant comment. He continued to laugh as Naruto's eyes filled with tears at their sensei's words and he started yelling excitedly. The laughter gained volume as the others left them tied to the pole until he slowly calmed down to find Naruto fuming.
'Congratulations little one.' Harry called out and Naruto calmed.
'They left me!'
'So untie yourself. You know how to.' Naruto sighed and soon the rope fell to the ground. He began walking back to his apartment slowly.
'How about finding Iruka to let him know you passed?' Harry suggested sensing Naruto's sadness at being left behind by the others. He smiled as the blonde took off to look for the chuunin.
Iruka smiled as Naruto excitedly told him about what had happened during his last mission. It was obvious the boy did not enjoy D ranked missions but they were a learning experience and if Iruka had any say Naruto would be doing them for a while. He loved him like a younger brother and he didn't want him to get hurt or worse. But something had been different since that night when Naruto had learnt about Kyuubi and that worried him. He knew that the demon hadn't taken over or else the village wouldn't be standing but there was no denying Naruto was changing.
"What's wrong Iruka-sensei?" He blinked and looked over into concerned blue eyes. Iruka smiled and ruffled the blonde hair.
"It's nothing Naruto, just thinking." Naruto smiled but Iruka noticed the concern was still in his eyes.
"How about I treat you to ramen?" He asked and smiled as Naruto grinned happily, half dragging him towards the stand. Maybe the teen was just finally growing up?
'Iruka is suspicious.' Harry commented. He'd been observing the mans actions around Naruto since that day and had reached the only conclusion available.
'You don't think he thinks…' Naruto trailed off, not noticing he was still tilting the milk carton and that his bowl was overflowing.
'It would be the logical conclusion for him to reach. Watch the milk kid.'
'No! I don't want him to be afraid of me or hate me!' Naruto screamed fearfully. Harry hushed him gently, focusing on the feeling of his arms wrapping around the child in a hug.
'It's going to be okay, we'll think of something. Better hurry up; don't want to be late for your mission.'
"Hey Iruka-sensei!" Naruto grinned as he saw his one time teacher. He relaxed slightly as the man smiled back warmly. Surely Harry was imagining things.
"Hello Naruto. How was your mission today?" Iruka asked as they walked together.
"Another boring D ranked." Naruto complained and Iruka laughed kindly.
"You're still a rookie genin Naruto, give it time." He advised.
"I know." Naruto grumbled.
"Treat me to ramen?" He looked up and begged silently. Iruka sighed and nodded, there went his pay. Iruka couldn't help laughing as Naruto danced around him happily before grabbing his arm and almost dragging him to the ramen stand. He watched in fond amusement as Naruto downed five bowls to his single one, wondering where the boy managed to put it all.
A few hours later they were walking through the village, stomachs pleasantly full. It was getting late but Naruto had the next day off so it didn't matter, he was happy just spending time with the older man and chatting. He smiled up at Iruka as the man looked down at him in concern since he had been quiet for the last while.
"Is something wrong Naruto?" The chuunin asked, genuine concern in his eyes and tone.
"No, I…" He hesitated, waiting for Harry to say something, but for once his brother remained silent, letting it be fully his choice without input.
"Naruto?" Iruka had stopped and knelt in front of him, really beginning to worry.
"I love you Iruka-sensei." Naruto said quietly before throwing his arms around the teacher. Iruka hugged him back, hard.
"Don't leave me." Naruto whispered but Iruka heard him and tightened the embrace.
"I don't plan too. I love you too Naruto-kun." Iruka whispered back, letting Naruto stay as long as he wanted and not caring who saw. Naruto finally pulled back and Iruka was surprised to see tears in the blue eyes.
"Naruto? Are you alright?" The blonde nodded and wiped his eyes before smiling, truly smiling. Iruka found himself smiling back and offering his hand to the teen. Naruto took his hand and they continued to walk.
"Come on, you can spend the night." Iruka offered and Naruto nodded.
Iruka smiled down at the sleeping blonde. He didn't know what had brought on the events of earlier but he was glad. It just re-enforced his belief that what ever was going on with the teen it wasn't the Kyuubi. The demon would never have done what Naruto had done a few hours before. He meant what he'd said too; he loved Naruto like a little brother and had no plans to leave him, ever. He knew that they were both shinobi and that either of them could be killed any day but he would do whatever he could to make sure he lived for the lonely teen.
TBC…
